The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-23
GOVERNOR FliZauGa LEE
SUGGESTED FOR VICE PREsI.
DES I BY A CULORED NAN.
Interview with OK United States
Mini:ter LGsgstoR- Il by lie
Eames Lee.
IApECrAL TO rHa APPEAL


Hon. John Mercer Langston, ex-
United StateN Minister to Hayti, and
at present pres ident Of the Virginia
Normal and Collegiate In'titute,
near Petersburg, and one Of the most
prominent colored luen in the coun.
try and the recognized leader of his
race in the South, has just been il.
teryiewed BY your correspondent a.
to the nomination of Southern man
for the Vice Presidency Of the United
States. 1t will be seen fr IN tn, in
terview had with MIR. Lsngstou that
he advocates the nomination of Gov
Lee, Of Virginia.
Prof. Langston, it is stated BY the
American newspaper, published at
Nashville, Tenn, that you recently
expressed the opinion that the Dem.
ocrats ought TO nominate Southern
man for the Vice Presidency Of the
United States. What have you to saw
on that subject2"
II never expressed any such opin-
ion and am surprised that should
be SO reported. In this statement,
howe yer, there is to be no implication
made that the American, OF Nash =
vile, Tenn, would 10 any sense
whatever knowingly treat me other
wise than considerably and accord
ing to its knowledge justly. For that
journal is one of the first in point of
dignity and patriotic purpose in the
country aud would not knowingly
treat any American citizen as 10 his
sentiments and opinions otherwise
than truthtully. Were my opinion
on this subject Of the least conse-
quence, I would state that it GER
tainly would be a most desirable
thing to witness such progress in the
regenerated public feeling OF the
North aud of the South, as
must be implied in the prop
osition and certainly in its ac-
ceptance to nominate even on
the part OF the Democratic parry
TO the Vice Presidency Of the United
States, a high minded, liberal and sa
eacious statesman Of the South. To
say nothing OF my sentiments OF State
pride, TO make no account Of the his
torical place occupied among the
Commonwealth OF eur union OF Vir-
ginia, the mother OF Presidents, 50
called, and without dwelling especial
ly upon the high place to which the
future seems to be reckoning her,
L am free to admit that il would
afford me, as certainly il would afford
our patriotic citizens generally, no
little pleasure TO know that our pres
ent government, through his ju-
dicious, kindly management OF every
State, and general interest command
ing his attention, had so far won the
applause and approval OF the people
OF the country as TO secure him the
high honor connected with the nom
nations 10 the Vice Presidency OF
the United States. His fellow col
ored citizens OF the State have been
greatly Influenced in his behalf
BY the late trea meut received
from him in his official
and private character, both as re-
CARDS their educational aud their
military status aud interests. The
leading colored men OF the State, in
their public journals and addresses
aud conversations, are full OF praise
OF his behaviour, as indicated toward
US. And his reception 10 the North,
so cordial and enthusiastic. as at the
Fourth OF July gathering in New
York City, at Tammany Hall, has
been no less gratifying u his colored
than 10 his white fellow citizens,
understanding his sentiments aud
purposes with regard TO the solid,
constitutional and legal reconstruc-
tiop Of the whole country in suck
manner a. 10 secure even TO the
humblcst citizens OF the Republic,
white or black, his full measure OF
rights, without any release from OBJ.
legation II his duty toward any class
Of his fellow citizens. OF course his
nomination 10 the high office in
contemplation must prove a cause OF
qualification 10 every inhabitant Of
this old common wealth.
Mr.. LaDgston, what is the partic-
ular thing, TO your judgement, that
eodears Gov. Lee to the colOred peO-
plef"
His practical Interest. as demon.
strated by word aud deed, 10 their
educational aud general welfare"
Mr.. Langston, have you noticed
the report that is being published in
the papers Of the country at this tim,
10 the effect that Gov. Gordon, of thu
State OF Georgia, 10 opposing appro-
priations TO such ingtitutions 10 the
State as the Atlanta University,
whose faculty is composed Of white
teachers from the North3"
II have noticed the statement 70
which you refer, aud am not sur
prised that such Governors OF South
err States as the gentleman 10 whom
you refer would feel that the time
had come really in the history Of the
colored people Of this country when
1 l.. n n l..